Many students in Milwaukee are going to class without pens, pencils or even paper, which is why WISN 12 News is teaming up with the Salvation Army to help make a big change in a child’s education.

Meri White is a mother and a teacher, and a part of her summer is spent in the school supply section.

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“Markers and notebooks, and what else do we have? A binder,” said White.

For a lot of parents, it may not seem like a lot to pick up a binder, some glue, even a folder, but it's different for families in the Milwaukee Public School district because the district said more than 80 percent of its families live in poverty.

Major Roger Ross with the Salvation Army knows the pain many children in inner-city feel.

“I came from a real poverty-stricken background, and I remember going to school and not even having pencils to write with,” Ross said.

Ross believes the Salvation Army's Back to School Donation Drive will change lives.

“It does a real negative thing to your self esteem. You don't feel good enough. You don't feel like you really even belong because you don't have the basic equipment to work in the class and do your homework,” said Ross.

About 400 students at one MPS school were given school supplies in 2012. For 2013, the Salvation Army is looking to supply two schools.

“We are looking at 1,000 children receiving backpacks,” said Ross.

Ross said the items include pencils, crayons and notebooks, which often are passed over when a family needs to eat or pay rent.

On Monday and Tuesday, WISN 12 is hosting a phone bank with the Salvation Army.